Help replacing window switches

[repinsnug]

Hey everyone,


Needless to say I am new here. I am getting ready to graduate from college and my grandpa is giving me his old 1978 for a gift. The thing is it needs a bit of work and I am not to sure what I am doing. Would anyone be willing to tell me how to remove the center console(if you know where I could see pictures it would really help)? I need to replace the window switches.

Thanks for any help

 

[82ColEd]

Hi there..

Well, firstly: Welcome to the CAC !!

Go to the New Member Section and introduce yourself properly. We're a friendly crowd.

2ndly: There are some screws on the side panel (if the 78 is the same as the 82). Thats how you get under the center console. Now, if you want to remove it, there is screws all around, but your best bet if you want to work on the car is a Shop Manual (This one looks a bit cruddy, just as a hint) and an Assembly Manual. They are good to see whats where and to troubleshoot.

Someone with a 78 will chime in shortly and tell you where and how though.


-Stefan

 

[6880 Mike]

Are you sure your problem is a switch? No sense tearing the console apart if you don't have to. If neither switch will work in either direction, you could have a bad relay.

As posted above, the assembly instruction manual (AIM) and GM Chassis and Service Manual will help.

While on campus, go to the reference section of the library and chase down one of the big Chilton's (or similar) books for your year. The Chilton's will probably have a blurb about C3 window switches.

 

[Vette79]

Hey everyone,


Needless to say I am new here. I am getting ready to graduate from college and my grandpa is giving me his old 1978 for a gift. The thing is it needs a bit of work and I am not to sure what I am doing. Would anyone be willing to tell me how to remove the center console(if you know where I could see pictures it would really help)? I need to replace the window switches.

Thanks for any help

If your going to do any work yourself then a Shop Manual for the specific year of your vette is in order. They can be readily found on eBay. An AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual) would also be helpful.

The center console can be difficult. Be careful not to crack it during removal and to install the switches exactly how you removed them. Test them before buttoning things up to make sure the window goes down when you press down on the switch instead of going up....LOL. I made this mistake.

 

[gmjunkie]

78's are 1 of the easier ones to get to the switches!!
Remove the side carpeted panels!(3 screws each)The middle ones can sometimes be a little tricky depending on the model of seats!!
Put shifter in neutral!
Remove the 4 screws that hold the Console top!(2 screws each side)
Raise the rear of the console top at rear enough to access the screws that hold the switches in place!! (2 screws each switch)

PS If a automatic when lowering the top back in place make sure you have the peg on the shifter in line with the slot on the shift indicator!!

Welcome to

 

[repinsnug]

Are you sure your problem is a switch? No sense tearing the console apart if you don't have to. If neither switch will work in either direction, you could have a bad relay.

As posted above, the assembly instruction manual (AIM) and GM Chassis and Service Manual will help.

While on campus, go to the reference section of the library and chase down one of the big Chilton's (or similar) books for your year. The Chilton's will probably have a blurb about C3 window switches.

I am absolutely sure its the switch... Its gone limp my grandfather has huge fingers so he gets a little mash happy when he rolls down the windows. He didn't fix it because he broke it as he was purchasing his 95. Thanks for the advice

 

[repinsnug]

78's are 1 of the easier ones to get to the switches!!
Remove the side carpeted panels!(3 screws each)The middle ones can sometimes be a little tricky depending on the model of seats!!
Put shifter in neutral!
Remove the 4 screws that hold the Console top!(2 screws each side)
Raise the rear of the console top at rear enough to access the screws that hold the switches in place!! (2 screws each switch)

PS If a automatic when lowering the top back in place make sure you have the peg on the shifter in line with the slot on the shift indicator!!

Welcome to

Thank you. Can't wait to get started

 

[Evolution1980]

It's MUCH easier to take the side panels off with the seats out. Yeah, that seems like a lot of work, but there's only 4 bolts holding in each seat and they are relatively easy to get to with a ratchet and a long extension (or stack a couple extensions so you have some wiggle room). Once you've done it once or twice, taking out each seat take less than ten minutes. Possibly even less than five.
Actually, taking the seats out makes any interior job way easier.

Once the seats are out, the sidepanels are a cinch and you don't have to worry about mashing down the seat to get the panel's screws near the seat belts.

(This is a snippet out of the Service Manual. Hopefully this gives you a minor glimpse of how important it can be for those that turn their own wrenches!)

 

[repinsnug]

Thanks

Hey guys just wanted to say thanks for all the help. The last few weeks of school have been rather hectic so I apologize for the delay. Thanks again

NJW

 

[Whiteshadow89158]

so does that mean you have time now to work on the vette?

 

[repinsnug]

so does that mean you have time now to work on the vette?

Actually I am literally finishing 5 school projects right now. I will probably start in 2 weeks.

 

[Whiteshadow89158]

Siiiiick. Cant wait to see progress pics.